Apparatus for flushing water closets

ABSTRACT

A water closet and apparatus for flushing water delivered from a high pressure source as a mulching jet into a bottom of a closet bowl as scouring jets for cleaning sides of the bowl and as an activating jet for an ejector pump for evacuating the bowl, delivery of water being controlled by an automatically operated valve controlled distributor for delivering a predetermined quantity of water through the mulching jet before causing operation of the ejector pump and scouring jets.

nited States Patent 1 3,64 ,2

[54] APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER 3,010,115 11/1961 CLOSETS 3 ,224,013 12/1965 3,334,358 8 1967 Inventor: Lorne A. Walton R.R. 3, Sardis, British Columbia, Canada [22] Fil d; No 23, 1970 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Alt L .T 211 App1.No.: 91,635 G [57] ABSTRACT :ktSbCll. nungggmgg A water close and apparatus for flushing water delivered from [58] Fie'ld 3 7349 a hlgh pressure source as a mulching et into a bottom of a 4 i closet bowl as scouring jets for cleaning sides of the bowl and as an activating jet for an ejector pump for evacuating the bowl, delive of water bein controlled b an automaticall [56] New CM operated Val i/ e controlled disfributor for del ivering a predeter UNITED STATES PATENTS mined quantity of water through the mulching jet before caus ing operation of the ejector pump and scouring jets.

1,742,790 l/1930 Smith ..4/73 1,973,349 9/1934 Kruse ..4/73 5Claims,4DrawingFigures 56 9 I as 35 2H? 3. 72 3R5 3i M gg ae 98 9 9/ I 75 79 67 4 g a 5 53 56' 94 H75 36 6/ as 57 i 27 E 34 6 k v 5 fi 27 26 1 2.9 M /2'/ PATENTEUMAR 14 I972 sum 2 er 3 Lorne A. MacMillan,

Inventor Lyle G. Trorcy,

Agent PATENTEDHAR 14 m2 3 s48 297 sum 3 0 3 Lorne A. MacMillan,

Inventor Lyle G. Trorey,

Agent APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER CLOSETS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to water closets and in particular to flushing apparatus which is required to be operated against a high outlet or discharge pressure.

2. Prior Art Water closets designed for operating against high discharge pressures such as those in submarines, boats, and subterranean locations generally, use a flushing apparatus having piston pumps for discharging closet contents.

Operation of water closets as above is not simple. Further it is often difficult to remove loose objects which are accidentally dropped into bowls of the water closets and which are large enough to jamb discharge passages. Water closets of this type have, consequently, not proven adaptable for use in private homes where they may be subject to abuse by children whose propensity for dropping objects such as hair brushes, toothbrushes, etc. and attempting to flush them away, is well known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a water closet having flushing apparatus which is simple to install and operate and which can easily be cleared of objects too large to be flushed away.

Flushing apparatus of the present invention includes a water operated water ejector pump in a discharge passage of a water closet connectable to a source of water under pressure for discharging contents of the closet, a discharge nozzle in the discharge passage the nozzle being connectable to the source of water under pressure for discharging a mulching jet into the discharge passage, and means connectable to the pressurized source of water for directing jets of water against sides of the water closet for cleaning the latter. Automatically operated valve controlled distributor means sequentially control flow of water so that a predetermined quantity of water is discharged into the water closet by the mulching jet before the ejector pump starts to operate.

Detailed description following, related to drawings, gives exemplification of apparatus according to the invention which, however, is capable of expression in means other than those particularly described and illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1

FIG. 1 shows a water closet having an outer skirt l1 and an inner bowl 12, the bowl having an inwardly extending lip 13. The bowl opens at its bottom 14 into a horizontal discharge passage 15 which extends at a discharge end 16 into a vertically disposed housing 17 having a front wall 17.1.

A water operated water ejector pump 18 is bolted to the bowl at the discharge passage. As seen in FIG. 1 the ejector has a cylindrical casing 19 axially disposed relative to the discharge passage 15. A water discharge nozzle 20 is located adjacent an end 21 of the cylindrical casing and a venturi 22 is located diametrically opposite the nozzle 20 and is connected by a fitting 23 to an upwardly extending discharge pipe 24 which leads to an overhead sewer, not shown. A flap check valve 25 is located at a discharge end of the venturi, normally closing the latter against a head of liquid in the discharge pipe. The nozzle 20 is connected through a water line 26 and a valve controlled distributor 27 to a supply line 28. The supply line delivers water under pressure from a suitable supply source.

A nozzle 29 extends into and axially of the cylindrical housing through the end 21 and is also connected through a line 31 and the distributor 27 to the supply line 28. The nozzle 29 is disposed so as to direct a water jet axially through the discharge passage 15 and into the bowl 12.

A perforated pipe 33 extends around the bowl beneath the lip 13 and is also connected through a line 34 and the distributor 27 to the supply line 28. The perforated pipe has perforations arranged so that water discharged therethrough swirls around and thus cleans the bowl on passage to the discharge passage 15.

The distributor 27 has a push rod 35 which extends through the housing 17 and which when operated, as hereafter described, efi'ects sequential discharge of water through the nozzles 20 and 29 and the perforated pipe 33.

FIGS. 2, 3 AND 4 The distributor 27, FIGS. 2 and 3, has a casing 36 secured to the front wall of the housing, the casing having a valve chamber 41 which is connected, see FIG. 3, at 42 to the supply line 28. The chamber has a discharge port 43 opening to the line 31 and a discharge port 44 which opens into a distribution chamber 45 having a discharge port 46 opening to the line 26, and a discharge port 47 opening to the line 34. Valves 49 and 50, see FIG. 3 are mounted in the chamber 41 for opening and closing the ports 43 and 44.

The valve 49 has a head 51 for closing the port 43 and a valve stem 52 which has a slidable sealing fit in a glanded fitting 53 threaded into a wall 54 of the casing 36, the stem having an aperture 55, see FIG. 4, adjacent its outer end 56. A helical spring 57 fits over the valve stem under compression between the valve head 51 and the fitting 53 normally urging the valve head to a closed position over the port 43. The valve 50 is similar to the valve 49 having a head 58, a stem 59 slidable of a glanded fitting 61, the stem 59 having an aperture 62 similar to the aperture 55. The valve 50 is urged to a closed position over the port 44 by a compression spring 63.

The distributor 27 includes a spring operated hydraulically retarded valve operating assembly, generally 65, the assembly including the push rod 35. Operation of the valve 49, see FIGS. 2 an 3, is effected by a valve lifter 66 secured to the push rod 35. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the valve lifter 66 has a collar 67 slidably fitting the rod, a set screw 68 extends through the collar securing it against movement longitudinally of the rod. An arm 69, see FIG. 4, extends from the collar parallel to but spaced from the rod, the arm passing through the aperture 55 of the valve stem 52. A member 7I secured to the casing gives sliding support for the arm 69. The arm has raised cam 72 having sloping side edges 73 and a raised upper edge 74. Depth of the arm 69 is such that it normally has a clearance D, see FIG. 4, with an upper wall 55.1 of the aperture 55 to enable the valve 49 to assume a closed position over the port 43. Depth of the cam 72 however is such that when moved into the aperture 55 it lifts the valve 49 off the port 43 so as to enable water to pass therethrough.

Operation of the valve 50 is effected by a valve lifter 75 which is similar to the valve lifter 66, having a collar 76 secured to the push rod 35 by a set screw 77, an arm 78 supported by a member 79, the arm also having a cam 81 similar to the cam 72 of the valve lifter 66.

The push rod has a push button 82 at an outer end 83, the rod extending through end walls 84 and 85 of a fluid filled cylinder 86 which is secured to casing 36. O-rings 87 and 88 provide a liquid tight sliding fit of the push rod and cylinder. A piston 89 is mounted on the rod within the cylinder, the piston having nuts 91 threaded on the rod against a pair of annular plates 92. A flexible washer 93 is sandwiched between the plates 92, the washer having a lip seal 94. A short groove 95 extends longitudinally of the rod opening into the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston. A helical compression spring 96 extends between the piston and the end wall 85 of the cylinder, normally urging the piston against the end wall 85. It is seen that construction as above enables the piston to be moved easily against the action of the compression spring towards the end wall 85. However, movement of the piston by the end wall 84. The stop is a collar 98 which has a slidable fit on the rod and which is secured in position longitudinally thereof by a set screw 99.

OPERATION The valve lifter 66 is suitably positioned longitudinally of the rod so that, when the push rod is operated to move the piston against the spring 96 to an extent limited by engagement by the stop 97 with the end wall 85, the cam 72 is moved into the aperture 55 of the valve stem 52 to lift the head 51 of the valve 49 off the port 43 so that pressurized water entering into the valve chamber 41 through the supply line passes through the port 43 and is discharged as a jet through the nozzle 29 into the discharge passage so as to mulch material therein. The valve lifter 75 is adjustably positioned on the rod so that when the cam 72 clears the aperture 55 to allow the valve 50 to close, the cam 81 of the lifter 75 moves into the aperture 62 to lift the valve 50 and allow water from the valve chamber 41 to pass into the distribution chamber 45 and thence pass outwards through the ports 46 and 47 to discharging simultaneously through the perforated pipe and through the nozzle of the ejector pump. Water and other contents of the bowl are then discharged into the sewer through the discharge pipe 24. Operation of the ejector pump and discharge of water through the perforated pipe 33 continues until the cam 81 clears the aperture 62. When the ejector pump ceases to operate the flap valve 26 closes and prevents return of discharge water and bowl contents. Water in the lines 26 and 34 and from the distribution chamber drains through the ejector nozzle back into the discharge passage and the bowl. The distribution chamber has a capacity sufficient to provide about three inches of clean water in the bowl after a flushing operation.

It is seen that when the rod is operated against the spring the cam 8l of the valve lifter 75 initially lifts the valve 50 so as to cause momentary operation of the ejector pump and discharge through the perforated pipe. This draws the contents of the bowl into the discharge passage 15 and into contact with the mulching jet delivered through nozzle 29 when the valve 49 is lifted by the valve lifter 66.

Adjustment of the stop 97 longitudinally of the guide rod 35 provides corresponding adjustment of extent of travel of the piston so that open time of the valve 49 can be adjusted so as to ensure that only a predetermined amount of water is discharged into the bowl through the nozzle 29 normally sufficient water to fill the bowl about half full. The flushing apparatus, it is seen, can be adjusted for various conditions of water pressure and ambient temperature. Ambient temperature aflects viscosity of the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder and thus speed of travel of the push rod under the action of the spring 96.

It is seen that large objects, such as hair brushes, which cannot be mulched and cannot pass through the venturi of the ejector pump, can easily be removed after the ejector pump ceases to operate as the discharge passage of the bowl, unlike curved traps of conventional closets, is straight.

I claim:

1. A water closet including:

a. a closet bowl having a discharge passage,

b. means connectable to a source of water under pressure for discharging a jet of water into the discharge passage for mulching contents of the bowl,

c. an ejector pump connected to the discharge passage and connectable to the source of water for evacuating the discharge passage and the bowl, d. means connectable to the source of water for discharging jets against sides of the bowl for scouring the latter,

e. valve controlled distributor means automatically operable for sequentially controlling flow of water to allow a predetermined quantity of water to be discharged into the bowl by the means (b) before causing operation of the ejector pump to evacuate the bowl and operation of the means (d).

2. A water closet as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve controlled distributor means includes:

i. a casing having a valve chamber connected to the source of water under pressure,

ii. a pair of discharge ports opening out of the valve chamber,

iii. a fluid connection between one of the ports and the means (b),

iv. a fluid connection between the other port and the ejector pump and the means (d),

v. valves in the valve chamber spring urged to normal closed position over the ports,

vi. spring operated hydraulically retarded valve operating means for opening and closing the valves for controlling flow of water through said one port for a period of time sufficient to obtain discharge of predetermined quantity of water into the bowl and then opening the valve of said other port so as to cause operation of the ejector pump and the means (d).

3. A water closet as claimed in claim 1 in which the discharge passage is straight between the bowl and the ejector pump.

4. A water closet as claimed in claim 1 in which the means (d) includes a perforated pipe extending around and inside of the bowl the pipe having perforations disposed so as to direct water issuing therefrom against sides of the bowls so as to scour the latter 5. A water closet as claimed in claim 2, in which the means (vi) includes:

i. a push rod,

ii. means mounting the push rod for reciprocal movement,

iii. a spring compressed by the rod when the latter is moved in one direction so as to effect return movement of the push rod,

iv. hydraulic means for retarding return movement of the push rod,

v. a pair of valve lifters having cams slidably engaging the valves for opening and closing the latter when the rod is moved by the spring, the cams being disposed so that one lifter opens and closes the valve controlling flow through said one port before the other lifter opens and closes the valve controlling flow through said other port. 

1. A water closet including: a. a closet bowl having a discharge passage, b. means connectable to a source of water under pressure for discharging a jet of water into the discharge passage for mulching contents of the bowl, c. an ejector pump connected to the discharge passage and connectable to the source of water for evacuating the discharge passage and the bowl, d. means connectable to the source of water for discharging jets against sides of the bowl for scouring the latter, e. valve controlled distributor means automatically operable for sequentially controlling flow of water to allow a predetermined quantity of water to be discharged into the bowl by the means (b) before causing operation of the ejector pump to evacuate the bowl and operation of the means (d).
 2. A water closet as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve controlled distributor means includes: i. a casing having a valve chamber connected to the source of water under pressure, ii. a pair of discharge ports opening out of the valve chamber, iii. a fluid connection between one of the ports and the means (b), iv. a fluid connection between the other port and the ejector pump and the means (d), v. valves in the valve chamber spring urged to normal closed position over the ports, vi. spring operated hydraulically retarded valve operating means for opening and closing the valves for controlling flow of water through said one port for a period of time sufficient to obtain discharge of predetermined quantity of water into the bowl and then opening the valve of said other port so as to cause operation of the ejector pump and the means (d).
 3. A water closet as claimed in claim 1 in which the discharge passage is straight between the bowl and the ejector pump.
 4. A water closet as claimed in claim 1 in which the means (d) includes a perforated pipe extending around and inside of the bowl the pipe having perforations disposed so as to direct water issuing therefrom against sides of the bowls so as to scour the latter.
 5. A water closet as clained in claim 2, in which the means (vi) includes: i. a push rod, ii. means mounting the push rod for reciprocal movement, iii. a spring compressed by the rod when the latter is moved in one direction so as to effect return movement of the push rod, iv. hydraulic means for retarding return movement of the push rod, v. a pair of valve lifters having cams slidably engaging the valves for opening and closing the latter when the rod is moved by the spring, the cams being disposed so that one lifter opens and closes the valve controlling flow through said one port before the other lifter opens and closes the valve controlling flow through said other port. 